For the first time in over a decade, the New York Rangers and New York Islanders are on the verge of striking a deal - and it’s turning heads across the NHL.
According to reports, the Rangers are set to send veteran defenseman Carson Soucy to their crosstown rivals in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick. It’s a rare move between two franchises that share a city, a division, and no shortage of bad blood. In fact, if finalized, this would be the first trade between the Rangers and Islanders since 2010 - a span of 16 years - when the Blueshirts acquired defenseman Jyri Niemi for a sixth-rounder.
Soucy was notably absent from the Rangers’ lineup Monday night against the Bruins, held out for what the team labeled “roster management.” That label typically signals that a deal is in the works - and in this case, it appears that’s exactly what was happening behind the scenes.
For the Rangers, this move essentially resets the ledger. They acquired Soucy from the Canucks ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, also in exchange for a third-round pick. So if this deal goes through, they’ll recoup what they gave up - a clean one-for-one transaction from an asset standpoint.
Soucy, 31, brings size, experience, and a steady presence on the blue line. In 46 games this season, he’s posted three goals and five assists while averaging just over 17 minutes of ice time per night. He’s not a flashy player, but he’s reliable - the kind of depth defenseman who can eat minutes and bring a physical edge, especially in tight-checking games down the stretch.
For the Islanders, who are pushing to stay in the playoff hunt, Soucy adds a veteran option to a defensive group that’s dealt with injuries and inconsistency. He’s the type of player who can quietly stabilize a third pairing or even step into a larger role if needed. And with the Islanders’ style - structured, defensively responsible, and physical - Soucy’s game fits the mold.
But beyond the on-ice implications, the trade is notable for what it represents: a rare instance of cooperation between two franchises who typically treat each other more like rivals than trade partners. For fans of both teams, it’s a moment that feels almost surreal.
Rangers and Islanders doing business? That alone is enough to raise eyebrows.
Still, when you strip away the rivalry and emotion, this is a hockey move through and through. The Rangers, with a crowded blue line and playoff aspirations of their own, are managing assets. The Islanders, in need of depth and looking to bolster their back end, see value in a proven veteran.
If this deal becomes official, it won’t just be a footnote in the 2026 season - it’ll be a small but significant moment in the shared history of two of hockey’s most storied franchises.